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Social Sciences

Social Sciences is a currently approved emphasis under the Individual Graduate Program (IGP).  This graduate emphasis offers students individualized training and the opportunity to help build a unique, interdisciplinary research community. Graduate study within Social Sciences is organized in the emphasis tracks of public health and sociology. Students are educated in a particular discipline, but have the opportunity to engage in interdisciplinary research and collaboration if they so desire. Graduate study at UC Merced will involve working closely with one or more professors, so prospective applicants should carefully consult the faculty within their desired discipline for more information on current research topics.

Financial Support

Most of our Ph.D. students receive full financial support each semester in the form of Teaching Assistantships (TA), Graduate Student Research (GSR) assistantships, and/or fellowships.  Also, the large majority of our Ph.D. students receive support used for research, educational, and living costs during the summer.

Public Health

This track is a multidisciplinary area of research and study that focuses on measuring, understanding and improving the health of the population, including assessing the health needs of vulnerable populations, understanding the causes and determinants of health challenges and problems, and identifying ways to improve the public health system and the health of the population.